Our events and games

Each year, Special Olympics New Zealand holds over 200 events throughout the country.

An event is a one or two-day sports competition. It often involves athletes from several groups such as Special Olympics Clubs, schools and local centres. Athletes are accompanied by their coaches, other supporters and volunteers. They gather in one location with the aim of participating in a specific sports competition.

Competitions are designed to meet the needs of athletes of all abilities and include developmental events. Details of sports can be found on the section about Our sports.

Club events are organised by Special Olympics Club volunteers. Typically, one Club organises an event and invites other Clubs in the geographic area to participate. Special Olympics Regional Sports Coordinators provide resources such as equipment and training and coaching resources for club events.

School events are organised by Special Olympics New Zealand Regional Sports Coordinators. Sometimes, school events are run with other groups such as the regional sporting organisation or other partners like the Halberg Trust. School events are sometimes run under the Athletes with Disabilities (AWD) banner and combine school-based athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Games are multi-day events. Special Olympics New Zealand athletes can participate in National Games, Trans Tasman Games, Asia Pacific Games and World Games.